About this episode

Dr. Caroline Buzanko examines the validity of Polyvagal Theory in understanding anxiety and its implications for supporting children and teens.

Is Polyvagal Theory Helping or Hurting Our Understanding of Anxiety? Polyvagal Theory has become one of the most widely shared explanations for anxiety, trauma, and nervous system regulation. But how much of it is supported by current science? In this episode of Overpowering Emotions, Dr. Caroline takes a closer look at the research behind Polyvagal Theory, separating clinically useful ideas from claims that many neuroscientists, physiologists, and evolutionary biologists have challenged. You'll learn what concepts can still be effective without relying on disputed explanations of the vagus nerve. Dr. Caroline also explores predictive processing and why misunderstanding normal stress responses may actually increase anxiety. This conversation is especially valuable for anyone supporting children and teens who struggle with anxiety, emotional regulation, school avoidance, or stress. Dr. Caroline discusses the risks of treating normal arousal as danger signals and why a capacity-before-skill approach matters when helping young people build resilience. Listen in to discover: • What Polyvagal Theory claims about the nervous system • The major scientific criticisms of the theory • Why…

People in this episode

Host: Dr. Caroline Buzanko

Topics covered

• Polyvagal Theory
• anxiety
• nervous system regulation
• predictive processing
• emotional regulation
• resilience

Keywords

• Polyvagal Theory
• anxiety
• nervous system
• predictive processing
• emotional regulation
• stress responses
• resilience

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Polyvagal Theory, neuroscientists, physiologists, evolutionary biologists

More episodes of Overpowering Emotions: Tools for Child & Teen Anxiety and Resilience

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• 248. Why Your Child Falls Apart Over Small Things | The Missing Piece of Emotional Regulation · July 7, 2026 · 26 min
• 247. Why do breathing and mindfulness work if polyvagal theory has problems? · June 30, 2026 · 12 min

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